Election 2012: Golnik, Tsongas differ on economy

Third Congressional District candidates Niki Tsongas and Jon Golnik both vow to be an independent, open-minded representative in the notoriously gridlocked House. But from there, Tsongas, the Democratic incumbent, and her Republican challenger, Golnik, part ways on how to fix some of the country's most pressing problems.

By Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

Posted Oct. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 17, 2012 at 5:04 PM

By Scott O'Connell/Daily News staff

Posted Oct. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 17, 2012 at 5:04 PM

FRAMINGHAM

» Social News

Third Congressional District candidates Niki Tsongas and Jon Golnik both vow to be an independent, open-minded representative in the notoriously gridlocked House.

But from there, Tsongas, the Democratic incumbent, and her Republican challenger, Golnik, part ways on how to fix some of the country's most pressing problems.

On the economy, for example, the candidates tend to side with their respective parties. Tsongas says government needs to tackle the mounting national debt, "but in a way that's responsible and fair." Golnik calls that approach a pathway to more taxes, and instead advocates for cutting spending first.

"We don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem," the Carlisle businessman said in a recent editorial board meeting with the Daily News. "We shouldn't be raising taxes on anyone right now."

Tsongas, in supporting an end to the Bush tax-cuts for those making more than $250,000 a year, said making the wealthy pay more will go a long way to solving the country's deficit crisis, however, which could otherwise fall to the struggling middle class.

"We're in a challenging time, and everybody has to pay their fair share," she said during a meeting with Daily News editorial staff.

First elected to congress in 2007, Tsongas touts her work on national defense issues, particularly those affecting women soldiers, as one of her top achievements in office. As a member of the House's Armed Services Committee, she and Republican congressman Mike Turner pushed for passage of the Defense STRONG Act, which expands legal rights and protections for service members who were victims of sexual assault.

"I have been able to work across the aisle to make progress on some very important issues," Tsongas said.

Golnik is taking a second stab at unseating Tsongas, who handily beat him in 2010, grabbing 55 percent of the vote to Golnik's 42. He's betting voters since then have grown even more fed up with the country's slow recovery from the recession, and has made boosting employment one of his key platform issues.

"People want to hear about job creation, and sustainable job creation, especially in the private sector," he said.

He blamed the president's affordable health care act's 2.3 percent excise tax on medical devices, for instance, for pushing local companies such as Boston Scientific to start looking abroad for new expansion opportunities. Golnik said he opposes Obama's plan, instead advocating for more market-driven solutions to the country's health care problems.

Tsongas points out that many other companies have remained and invested in the region, however, and said her focus is on "going to bat for" businesses struggling under federal regulations and other hardships.

"We have to have a tax code that rewards companies that stay here," she said.

Page 2 of 2 -
Despite its shifting borders, Tsongas said she is rooted in the district, citing her past participation in public events like "Congress on Your Corner" and town hall meetings.

"I feel it's important to do those things," she said, "to hear from your constituents about what to do in Washington."

But Golnik said he doesn't believe his opponent has adequately represented her district, which was recently redrawn to include Marlborough, citing her track record of voting mostly along party lines.

"I thought that left us without a voice," he said, adding the region has a strong Republican presence relative to other Massachusetts congressional districts.

The self-described "high energy guy" said he'll put partisan politics aside to get things done in the nation's capital.

"At the end of the day, we need to get to work down there," he said.

(Scott O'Connell can be reached at 508-626-4449 or soconnell@wickedlocal.com.)